Annual Essay Contest
The Atkins Center for Ethics at Carlow University sponsors an annual essay contest for high school students. Essay topics focus on an issue of ethical concern for our country and the world.
2024-25 Essay Contest
Essay topic: “How Much Is Too Much?” The Ethical Implications and Considerations of Prescription Drug Pricing
Profits are used by corporations for several reasons. Beyond shareholder equity, profits are often reinvested in further research. Within the field of medicine there have been significant advances in treatment options for various chronic and terminal diseases. Pharmaceutical companies have contributed greatly to these advances. As we think of the ethical principles of Beneficence (do good), Nonmaleficence (do no harm) and Justice, a good use of corporate profits in this way can garner public support. Furthermore, corporations are also expected to be socially responsible. Millions of people who have severe allergies, such as those allergic to peanuts and peanut based products, have purchased the EpiPen for use in life saving situations.
Mylan Pharmaceuticals acquired the EpiPen in 2007, but its price surged by over 400% between 2009 and 2016, which drew widespread criticism and creating an ethical dilemma. This dilemma consists of the conflict between the availability of a lifesaving device and its inaccessibility to some populations. This dramatic price hike led to concerns about accessibility for patients who rely on the EpiPen, particularly since there were few alternatives available. The company faced allegations of price gouging and unethical practices, prompting public outrage and investigations by lawmakers. However, Mylan’s investments to the community included providing rebates, donating 800,000 free EpiPens, distributing supplies to 70,000 schools as an example of corporate responsibility. Unfortunately, this controversy highlighted broader issues within the pharmaceutical industry, such as the lack of price regulation and the balance between profit motives and public health concerns.
In the end, Mylan announced additional rebates and offered a generic version of the drug. Even that has been criticized by some who suggested that even a generic version would allow Mylan to maintain control of the market share. But Mylan isn’t alone. Turing Pharmaceuticals was also accused of price gouging and, like Mylan, was also subpoenaed before the Oversight Committee of the House of Representatives. Beyond alleged egregious conduct, the fact remains that many drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are very expensive often making it unaffordable for patients in need. Just recently, the FDA approved Kisunla, a product of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly, that has proven results in reducing the rate of cognitive decline for adults with mild cognitive impairment. The price is $48,000 for 18-months of treatment. 11% of Pennsylvania residents over 65 years of age have Alzheimer’s but the population disproportionately impacted are minority groups, who also struggle with limited health insurance coverage due to high costs.
In this essay, you should discuss the ethical implications of prescription drug pricing as it relates to accessibility, the impact on vulnerable populations, corporate profitability and corporate social responsibility. You may provide other examples and arguments to support your analysis.
Contest rules
The essay contest is open to all students enrolled in grades 11 or 12. You can choose to write an essay or do poetry/spoken word.
- Essay must be 800-1200 words in length, not including citations & bibliography
- Essay must be the independent work of the student
- Essay must be submitted as a PDF or Microsoft Word document
- Poetry/spoken word must be between 150-200 words in length.
- Student must submit a video of themselves reading/performing their entry.
- Student must respond to the topic questions in an articulate, clear & organized manner
Prizes in each category
A first, second and third place winner are awarded cash prizes. Prizes will be awarded by the committee solely on the basis of merit. No additional commitment is required.
- 1st place: $1,500 cash
- 2nd place: $1,000 cash
- 3rd place: $750 cash
Rubrics
ACE Essay Rubric 2024:
| 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Standard | 1 – Needs Improvement | |
| Originality and Creativity | The performance provides a profound and original exploration of ethical issues. It offers a compelling perspective or poses thought-provoking questions, demonstrating a deep understanding of ethical concepts. | The performance effectively addresses ethical issues, presenting a clear perspective or question that engages the audience with relevant moral concepts. | The performance touches on ethical issues but may lack depth or clarity. The exploration of moral concepts is present but not fully developed. | The performance fails to adequately address ethical issues or present a coherent perspective on morality. |
| Emotional Impact | The performance creates a strong emotional connection with the audience, effectively conveying the ethical issues and eliciting a powerful emotional response. | The performance creates a moderate emotional impact, engaging the audience with the ethical themes and evoking some emotional response. | The emotional impact is limited, with minimal engagement or connection with the audience regarding the ethical themes. | The performance lacks emotional impact, failing to engage or connect with the audience on the ethical issues. |
| Audience Engagement | The performance fully engages the audience, capturing their attention and maintaining interest throughout. | The performance engages the audience to a moderate extent, with occasional lapses in attention or interest. | The performance has limited audience engagement, with frequent lapses in attention or connection. | The performance fails to engage the audience, with minimal attention or interest. |
| Delivery and Presentation | The delivery is dynamic and engaging, with clear articulation, strong vocal presence, and effective use of pacing and pauses. The presentation enhances the impact of the ethical themes. | The delivery is clear and engaging, with effective vocal expression and pacing. The presentation supports the ethical themes but may lack some dynamic elements. | The delivery is somewhat effective but may be inconsistent in clarity, expression, or pacing. The presentation has limited impact on the exploration of ethical themes. | The delivery is unclear or lacks engagement, detracting from the effectiveness of the performance. The presentation fails to support the exploration of ethical themes. |
| Paper Identification # | TOTAL SCORE: | Originality and Creativity | Emotional Impact | Audience Engagement | Delivery and Presentation | NOTES: |
ACE Poetry Rubric 2024:
| 5 – Exemplary | 4 – Proficient | 3 – Standard | 1 – Needs Improvement | |
| Theme and Content | The poem offers a deep and insightful exploration of ethical issues. It presents a clear and thought-provoking perspective or question related to ethics, engaging with complex moral concepts or dilemmas in a meaningful way. | The poem addresses ethical issues with a reasonable level of depth and clarity. It presents a perspective or question that is relevant but may not be as profound or detailed. | The poem touches on ethical issues but does so in a superficial or vague manner. The exploration of moral concepts is limited or lacks depth. | The poem does not effectively address ethical issues or fails to present a coherent perspective on morality. |
| Imagery and Language | Shows a strong and nuanced understanding of differing ethical perspectives and theories. | Links topic with at least one ethical theory or ethical idea. | Evidences research into topic and theme. | Does not reflect a firm grasp on the material or underlying ethical concerns. |
| Structure and Form | The poem has a strong and effective structure, with a clear and purposeful form that enhances the exploration of ethical themes. The use of form and structure is innovative and supports the poem’s message. | The structure and form of the poem are appropriate and support the ethical themes. The structure is clear but may not be particularly innovative or impactful.. | The structure and form are basic or inconsistent, and may not fully support or enhance the ethical themes. The poem may lack coherence or unity. | The structure and form are ineffective or poorly executed, detracting from the exploration of ethical themes. The poem lacks coherence and purpose. |
| Originality and Creativity | The poem demonstrates a high level of originality and creativity in its approach to ethical themes, presenting fresh perspectives or innovative expressions. | The poem shows some originality and creativity, though it may rely on more conventional ideas or expressions. | The poem displays limited originality or creativity, using familiar or predictable approaches to ethical themes. | The poem lacks originality or creativity, presenting ethical themes in a clichéd or unoriginal manner. |
| Emotional and Intellectual Engagement | The poem effectively engages the reader both emotionally and intellectually, provoking thoughtful reflection and a strong emotional response regarding ethical issues. | The poem engages the reader to a moderate extent, prompting some reflection and emotional response about ethical issues. | The poem has limited emotional or intellectual impact, offering only a minimal engagement with the reader concerning ethical issues. | The poem fails to engage the reader emotionally or intellectually, offering little insight or reflection on ethical issues. |
| Paper Identification # | TOTAL SCORE: | Theme and Content | Imagery and Language | Structure and Form | Originality and Creativity | Emotional and Intellectual Engagement | NOTES: |
ACE Spoken Word Rubric 2024:
| 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Standard | 1 – Needs Improvement | |
| Originality and Creativity | The performance provides a profound and original exploration of ethical issues. It offers a compelling perspective or poses thought-provoking questions, demonstrating a deep understanding of ethical concepts. | The performance effectively addresses ethical issues, presenting a clear perspective or question that engages the audience with relevant moral concepts. | The performance touches on ethical issues but may lack depth or clarity. The exploration of moral concepts is present but not fully developed. | The performance fails to adequately address ethical issues or present a coherent perspective on morality. |
| Emotional Impact | The performance creates a strong emotional connection with the audience, effectively conveying the ethical issues and eliciting a powerful emotional response. | The performance creates a moderate emotional impact, engaging the audience with the ethical themes and evoking some emotional response. | The emotional impact is limited, with minimal engagement or connection with the audience regarding the ethical themes. | The performance lacks emotional impact, failing to engage or connect with the audience on the ethical issues. |
| Audience Engagement | The performance fully engages the audience, capturing their attention and maintaining interest throughout. | The performance engages the audience to a moderate extent, with occasional lapses in attention or interest. | The performance has limited audience engagement, with frequent lapses in attention or connection. | The performance fails to engage the audience, with minimal attention or interest. |
| Delivery and Presentation | The delivery is dynamic and engaging, with clear articulation, strong vocal presence, and effective use of pacing and pauses. The presentation enhances the impact of the ethical themes. | The delivery is clear and engaging, with effective vocal expression and pacing. The presentation supports the ethical themes but may lack some dynamic elements. | The delivery is somewhat effective but may be inconsistent in clarity, expression, or pacing. The presentation has limited impact on the exploration of ethical themes. | The delivery is unclear or lacks engagement, detracting from the effectiveness of the performance. The presentation fails to support the exploration of ethical themes. |
| Paper Identification # | TOTAL SCORE: | Originality and Creativity | Emotional Impact | Audience Engagement | Delivery and Presentation | NOTES: |
Deadline
Friday, January 17, 2025
Past Essay Contest Winners
2022-23, Topic: “How Should We Think About Thinking Machines? The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence”
- Nathaniel Sutton, Bishop Guilfoyle High School, class of 2024
- Elena Eiss, Pittsburgh CAPA High School, class of 2024
- Helen Mao, North Allegheny Senior High School, class of 2024
2021-22, Topic: “What Can We Post? Free Speech in a Digital World”
- Matthew Purcell, Avonworth High School, class of 2023
- Leah Kornbau, Brookville Area Junior-Senior High School, class of 2022
- Rohini Pillai, Avonworth High School, class of 2023
2020-21, Topic: “Who Goes First? Making Hard Decisions in an Unequal World”
- Geina Shaker, Greater Latrobe High School, class of 2022
- Isaac Krom, Greater Latrobe High School, class of 2022
- Abigail Hakas, Homeschooled, class of 2021
Contact Atkins Center for Ethics
For information on this year’s essay contest or general questions, contact us!
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